The Mariachi Voice

The Mariachi Voice is a practical resource for all educational program directors, voice professors, historians, singers, and students of Mariachi who want to learn and encourage the tradition of Mariachi music in the United States. It explores and dissects the similarities and differences between classical and Mariachi fields regarding voice, while also providing useful classroom-tested lesson plans on voice pedagogy, history, and diction for teaching the Mariachi singer.

Dr. Juanita Ulloa is an international Operachi singer/pianist/songwriter, linguist, and author who champions under-represented vocal works from Mexico, Spain, and Latin America as well as women composers. She pioneers the inclusion of mariachi, folklore, and commercial song into academia alongside classical singing and teaches voice at San Joaquin Delta and Laney Community Colleges, with a national private voice studio training crossover singers, including mariachi. She offers master classes, concerts, and workshops at universities in Mexico, United States, and beyond.

Preface
Forewords by Mark Fogelquist, Mariachi Director and Dr. Karen Hall, Professor of Voice and Author of So You Want To Sing Musical Theatre
Acknowledgements and Delimitations
Chapter 1: Mariachi Song: Introduction
Introduction-What is Mariachi Singing?
Growth of Mariachi in the United States and Mexico
Understanding Terms: Ranchera, Mariache, Mariachi, Música Regional Mexicana and Mexican Song
Historical Challenges in Defining Mexican Song
Lessons
Chapter 2: History: Mariachi Singers and their Songs
Ranchera Rural Folk Origins
Vocal Roots and Early Twentieth Century Rancheras
Mexico's Golden Age of Cinema, Singers, and Songs
Manuel M. Ponce "The Father of Mexican Song"
Solo Ranchera Singers become celebrities through Media Expansion
Crossover singing: Jorge Negrete and Operas rancheras
Mexico's Premiere Voice Teacher: Maestro José Pierson
The Bolero in Mexico- History, Singers, and Composers
Ranchera Singing Style
Singer/Songwriter: José Alfredo Jiménez: Third Period in Mariachi History
Female Ranchera Singers and Composers
Bravío Ranchera Singing-Lucha Reyes
Vocal Conditions for Female Ranchera Singers
Key Dates in Ranchera Vocal History
Lessons
Chapter 3: Mariachi Voice Pedagogy
I. Voice Production and Vocal Care
A Visual Starting Place for Vocalists
Understanding Your Vocal Instrument by John Nix
A Voice Lesson: Alignment, Breath, and Vowel
Voice Teacher or Voice Coach-What's the Difference?
Female Mariachi Fach
Falsete: To Bridge or to Break
What is Falsete?
Can Anyone Sing Falsete?
Where Does Falsete Come From?
How do I Learn Falsete or Have My Voice Teacher Help Me?
What is Belt Voice?
Handling Vocal Fatigue and Developing Mindfulness
Mariachi Directors Provide Voice Leadership
Similarities between Mariachi and Classical Vocal Production
Differences between Mariachi and Classical Vocal Production
Lessons
II. Warm-ups, Vocalises and Practicing
Wake up Warm-ups
Vocalises: Mariachi Song Excerpts
Practicing
Getting Started-Rest in Action!
Advanced Growth in Practicing
III. Find the Right Key for Your Song
Lessons
Chapter 4: Preparing to be a Mariachi Singer
The Voice is the Instrument Everybody Shares
Group Singers, Ensemble Soloist, Mariachi Soloist: Where Do You Fit in?
Costumes, Make-up, and Singing With a Microphone
Chapter 5: Mariachi Rhythms and Choosing Song Repertoire
Overview of Mariachi Rhythmic Styles
Why Good Singers Listen to Rhythm
Rhythm Exercises and Learning Songs
Six Basic Rhythms
Choosing Mariachi Voice Repertoire
Graded Song Lists: Beginning, Young Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced Vocal Levels
Lessons
Chapter 6: Songs, Diction, Lyrics, IPA, and Translations
I. Diction, Lessons, and How to Memorize Lyrics
Introduction to Mexican Spanish Lyric Diction
Important Mariachi Words with International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)-Lessons 1-5
Memorizing Lyrics
Lessons: Song Studies; History, Lyrics and Translations, Guide; Acting, Performing Artist, and Composer Studies
II. 20 Ranchera Songs with Translations and IPA
Chapter 7: Mariachi Music Fundamentals
Sheet Music in Mariachi's Urban Period
Ranchera Composers and Arrangers use Sheet Music: Manuel Esperón, Ruben Fuentes, Mariachi Vargas, Jorge Negrete
Music Fundamentals in Schools
Bilingual Theory and Solfege Versus Letter Note Reading
Bilingual Music Fundamentals
Meter and Rhythmic Note Values
Transcription of Melodies and Rhythms
Three Basic Chords
Popular Mariachi Keys
Finding a Singer's Best Key
Tempo Terms in Spanish, Italian and English
Chapter 8: Four Mariachi Artist Interviews on the Voice
Linda Ronstadt: Mexican-American Multi-Grammy Winner in Mariachi and Queen of Contemporary Crossover Singing. She has twelve Grammys in diverse vocal styles, Academy of Country Music Awards, The Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, Emmy Award, Tony, and Emmy nominations, "The Sound of my Voice" documentary, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor.
Jorge Negrete: An Interview With Rafael Jorge Negrete and Diana Irene Negrete, Two Singers who happen to also be Grandchildren of Legendary Ranchera Singer from the Golden Age of Cinema, Singers, and songs, Mr. Jorge Negrete, El charro cantor.
Flor de Toloache: 2017 Latin Grammy-Winning Quartet who Fuse Mariachi With Contemporary Soul, Blues, and Caribbean Rhythms From Their New York City Base.
Raul Cuellar: Traditional Mexican-American Singer and Violinist from San Antonio, Texas. Performer with Camperos de Nati Cano Mariachi.
Resources
Glossary
Bibliography
Index